Toms River garage fire ruled accidental, may have been exacerbated by Sandy flooding

Jan. 24, 2014

Written by

@Loder1

TOMS RIVER — A garage fire at 313 Stephan Ave. this week has been ruled accidental, and flooding from superstorm Sandy in 2012 may be to blame for the blaze, fire officials said Wednesday.

The fire was reported at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday after Silverton Fire Company Assistant Chief Robert Sinnott requested firefighters from Pleasant Plains and Toms River fire companies. The fire was contained to the garage, according to Jim Mecready, director of the Toms River Fire Prevention Bureau.

The homeowner, who was not identified, noticed smoke in his garage, which is attached to his house, according to a statement by Police Chief Mitch Little.

“He immediately called 911 and fled the home with his dog,” Little said.

Mecready said investigation by Fire Prevention Inspector Dominick Roselli and Toms River Police Department showed the fire possibly was caused by the failure of energized electrical equipment. He said the house was flooded during Sandy flooding, which possibly contributed to the cause of the fire.

Residents were allowed to return to the building after the fire was extinguished, he said.

Mecready reminded residents who had flood damage to have any electrical wiring, components or devices that were subjected to salt water inspected by a licensed electrician and replaced if necessary.